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CBSE Class 9 English Question 37 of 63

The Sound of Music — Question 40

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40
Question
How is Evelyn Glennie helping other with her popularity and skill ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-034)
Answer

Inspite of Evelyn’s deafness she joined the prestigious Royal Academy of Music and won the “Soloist of the Year” award. Evelyn used to practice for hours learning languages such as Japanese and French. She earned a lot but was kind at heart. She used to give free performances in prisons and hospitals and also proved a personal example of tireless hard work and firm determination.

Overview: The Sound of Music

Part I tells the story of Evelyn Glennie, a Scottish girl diagnosed profoundly deaf at age eleven, who became one of the world's leading percussionists by learning to feel music through vibrations in different parts of her body. Ron Forbes, her teacher, encouraged this unconventional approach. Part II chronicles Ustad Bismillah Khan, who elevated the shehnai from a wedding/folk instrument to classical concert stage. Born in Dumraon, Bihar, he remained devoted to Benaras and Indian classical music throughout his life, refusing lucrative offers abroad.

Key Points

  • Part I: Evelyn Glennie — Scottish, profoundly deaf since age 11
  • Percussionist Ron Forbes taught her to sense music through vibrations
  • She plays barefoot to feel vibrations through the floor
  • She became one of the most acclaimed percussionists in the world
  • Part II: Bismillah Khan — shehnai maestro from Dumraon, Bihar
  • He elevated shehnai from folk/wedding instrument to concert classical
  • Played shehnai at Red Fort on India's first Independence Day (1947)
  • Awarded Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour
  • Refused to settle abroad — deeply attached to Benaras and the Ganga
  • Both parts share themes of passion, dedication, and overcoming obstacles

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Evelyn Glennie hear music despite being deaf?
Evelyn learned to feel music through vibrations. Ron Forbes tuned two drums and asked her to sense the sound without hearing aids. She felt higher notes in her upper body and lower notes in her legs. She plays barefoot on wooden platforms to feel vibrations through her feet.
Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to leave India?
Bismillah Khan was deeply attached to Benaras (Varanasi) and the river Ganga. When offered a position in the USA with the promise of replicating the Ganga there, he asked, "But will you also transport Benaras there?" His love for his homeland surpassed all material offers.

Common Mistakes

  • Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
  • Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
  • Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
  • Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

  • For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
  • For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
  • For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
  • Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.